Former Senator Akinyede Sola has labeled the election of Oyinlasola Badejo-Okunsanya, SAN, as the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president a pivotal event for the nation’s legal landscape. Speaking in Abuja, Akinyede highlighted that this is the first instance where women lead both the Bench and the Bar simultaneously.
Akinyede, who served Ekiti South from 2007 to 2011, noted that this dual leadership presents a unique two-year window to revitalize a judiciary currently suffering from a loss of public trust. He emphasized that the new NBA president, working alongside the Chief Justice of Nigeria, must prioritize systemic reforms.
The former lawmaker urged these leaders to demonstrate integrity and courage. He specifically called for improvements in judicial independence, legal discipline, and the rapid administration of justice. Akinyede concluded that if the new leadership focuses on substantive change rather than political posturing, they could permanently improve how citizens perceive the Nigerian justice system.
